rickdent

The Plaza Bar in the Windjammer is without an espresso machine as it went "poof" according to the gentleman manning the CP coffee bar. So this is your only option at the moment.

 

 

I haven't been to the Diamond or Concierge lounge yet to see what the status is.

 

This expresso machine was nonfunctional on our February 17 cruise, so it didn't "just go poof". Also, the use of this bar for Chops and Giovanni's can make for a long wait for a cocktail in those restaurants, so I advise bringing one in to start.

Yes. I would be very happy with a reduced selection of offerings later into the evening. We are not even night owls, but often enjoy a snack or 2nd dessert later in the evening.

Definitely agree!

I agree. Hey RCL, Vodka Drinkers Matter.

ABSOLUT-ely!!

I think you have a fatal assumption. You are saying that only Americans cruise? however.

 

In November 2015, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention noted in their report, “The percentage of U.S. adults who smoke cigarettes declined from 20.9 percent in 2005 to 16.8 percent in 2014. Cigarette smoking was significantly lower in 2014 (16.8 percent) than in 2013 (17.8 percent).”

The other incorrect assumption is that you cannot just cut a percentage in half. For all anyone knows, smokers could cruise at 2 or 3 times the rate of the general population. Or not.

Thank you for the ship review. What did you think of your stateroom/suite?

I won't get into any moral issues.

 

What I would like to know is, why someone wants to buy a knock off? If one can't afford to buy the real thing, do they want others to think they can with the fake?

But it is a moral issue!

I think the OP's point might be: Since they had signed up for insurance, they thought there was coverage. Insurance is not paid until final payment for the entire cruise is made, even if you have made partial payments before

final payment. I have seen on these boards that you can possibly pay for the insurance with a separate payment.

So, just signing up for the insurance as part of the cruise package isn't covering you until it's actually paid.

OMG...do NOT do that! These are MEDICAL PROCEDURES! The folks on the ship are not even trained or insured in America!

 

If you want some medical thing done....even teeth whitening.....DO IT AT HOME...before you cruise!

 

The most I'll do on a ship is a massage! That's it....that's all....not even a freaking haircut!

Ditto. What is your recourse for complications? Save a few bucks for???

Tell those jokes to your dentist next time you visit.

They will be soooo appreciative!!

On our cruises in Grand Suites the Concierge called and said he was going to escort the suite guests to the tender area and gave us a choice of times to meet in the CL. Once everyone was assembled he escorted us down to the front of the line. And yes, there were lots of nasty remarks made by fellow passengers. If you want suite perks, then buy a suite. It is rude to heckle the suite guests for something to which they are entitled.

So glad they didn't see us on embarkation mornings leaving Chops after a nice breakfast, having the Concierge commandeer an elevator, and taking us to the head of the line to get off the ship!

This has been my experience, as a group accompanied by Concierge. Perhaps a few fellow passenger comments....

On Celebrity, concierge escorted the suite group to a different tender boarding location.

We LOVED the in suite dining. We ordered full breakfast several times. We did dinner in suite for lobsters night. So much fun.

 

A few hints:

1). Ask for tablecloth/salt and pepper/water

2). Order your apps and salad first. Wait a bit after it arrives and then order mains and dessert. (We also ordered coffee here)

3). When you order make sure to order syrup, butter, jelly, rolls, ect.

4). You can order food from MDR any time that they are open. We ordered dessert one night with coffee.

5). You can eat on balcony table, bring table inside, or just use coffee table. We just used coffee table

 

when you want to order 3 pancakes make sure you only order 1 pancake breakfast. If you order 3 pancakes they will send you 3 plates of pancakes!!

 

Enjoy!

 

Those are great suggestions, thank you.

How is it determined that casino is non smoking on Indy, but not Anthem?

What about Navigator out of Southampton?

Is this known before sailing?

where would this Martini Class sit in the Loyalty Program? Between Gold and Platinum or higher ?

 

I would quite like to be a Martini Class cruiser, has a rather wonderful sound to it ;)

How many points to reach this level?

Or is it based on consumption??

Amit was wonderful concierge on 2-6-16 cruise.

Moderate crowds.

I placed 2 holds last Saturday, booked one later that day,let one expire.

They were for next February and suites, if that makes any difference.

It's at 5:30.

Rude. Just because you do not approve/indulge, doesn't mean you need to bring negative comments to those who do. There is nothing wrong with having a cigar bar on these cruise ships.

I concur. That post added nothing to the conversation and was purely judgmental.

That's why I reminded them of the Connoisseur Club on Adventure.

Gawd I hope not.

FYI

Adventure has a Connoisseur Club.

We have disembarked twice at Barcelona. I will emphasize that we had no problem getting to the airport plenty early. The problems occurred at the airport. The first time was the usual preflight multiple check in procedures, but due to a warning light on the plane, we sat on the plane and on the tarmac for about 4 hours prior to take off. This could happen anywhere, I realize that.

The second time was more troubling. There were more security/passport control checkpoints, with detailed "aggressive" questioning. This led to very crowded gate waiting areas, with adjoining gates having the same problem. At the gate, multiple passengers were being paged to come forward before anyone could board. Be aware that there is VERY limited seating at BCN, like 20 seats for 200+ passengers. Many people sitting on floor or standing for over an hour.

Upon actual boarding, random carryon bag checks by hand for many passengers.

So, perhaps getting to BCN not the problem, But be prepared to stand and wait at the gate.

We were "upgraded" to RFS from an Owners Suite. Should have kept OS.

RFS on Navigator in 2010. The living/dining area is very large, suitable for a gathering. One bedroom is a master, the other small with 2 twin beds & 2 Pullman (drop down) beds. Both bathrooms are small, would be better to have one big one,(there were just 2 of us).

Another consideration is that RFS is on aft of ship, even though the balcony is very big, there is no overhang. Two issues with this: Suites above have total visual access to your balcony, and Soot. Soot was pervasive, had to clean balcony furniture continuously, or sit on towels.

If you need a 2nd bedroom and bathroom, it's a good deal.

Will enjoy another cocktail there! Will try not to get dizzy.;)

Didn't list all the bars we've been to...

1-too long a list and

2-probably can't remember them all.

My wife and I have visited New Orleans several times since 2002, most recently Nov 2013.

What I will do here is list the places we have stayed and restaurants we have eaten at with some ratings and comments.

It took my wife 20 years to get me to go there, and now we go about every other year-one of our favorite cities in US. It didn't hurt that our nephew attended Tulane for 6 years to get a M.S. in biomedical engineering (more excuses to go!)

All ratings will be on scale of 1-4 "stars"

Hotels:

Hilton Riverside 3* can't beat convenience to conv. ctr.

Sheraton downtown (x2) (Canal St.) 3* close but not in French Qtr

JW Marriot (Canal St) 3*

Royal Sonesta (Bourbon St.)(x4) 4* expensive, but cannot beat location if you want to be in FQ.

Hotel Monteleone ? will be there 2/15.

Restaurants: same rating system

Arnauds-(x4) used to be 4* now down to 3* service & food have declined, expensive.

Antoines- x1, 2* lackadaisical service mediocre food, expensive

GW Fins x2, expensive but worth every penny 4*

NOLA x2, 3* good but not cheap

Desire oyster bar in Royal Sonesta 2*

Acme Oyster House 2+* (x2) (crowded, always some fiasco among patrons)

Commanders Palace 4*

Court of Two Sisters x3, 3*

Cafe du Monde x4, 2* it's good for what it is

Cafe Beignet x2, 3* We think a little better than Cafe du Monde

Remoulade 2*

Landry's Seafood on St Peter- 1* meh

Bombay Club 3* great for martinis at the bar!

Cochon 4* quirky menu

Jacques Imo's-4* I love this place. a true hole in the wall with great food, but Uptown, not close to FQ

Redfish Grill (Bourbon + Canal) 3+*

Faves:1- GW Fins, 2- Jacques Imos, 3- Redfish

Hope this helps

Rick & Tirza

We have experienced several Concierge lounges on Royal, and now recently (Aug-Sept 2014) on X Reflection. On Royal, Serenade had the most spacious and user friendly lounge, with dedicated bar, outdoor access, and a number of lounge tables/chairs. The other Royal CL's were cramped and crowded, although the level of service from the staff and concierge was very high. The concierge on several ships was very helpful and attentive to our needs.

But the Michael's Club concierge, Lenny, was BY FAR the most attentive, considerate we have ever seen. We witnessed his tact in defusing guest temper flare ups, and he made a point of recognizing us around the ship outside the lounge, as well as the typical concierge duties of making spa and specialty restaurant reservations. With a concierge like him, there was little additional value to butler service.

As for Michaels Club, we enjoyed the atmosphere (although there are no windows or outside access). We got to know the staff better there than on Royal since the lounge is open for cocktails from 5.00 until 11.45 pm as opposed to Royal's 5-8.30pm.

The liquor selection was also outstanding vs. Royal's "stock" liquors (the bartender even procured a vodka we requested from another bar for the duration of our cruise).

Another super benefit of Michaels Club was the 24 hour access to the lounge's coolers with bottled water and soft drinks, of which we availed ourselves every day.

We liked all the CL experiences, ranking Reflection #1 and Serenade very close behind.

The free coffee was horrible on Reflection Aug 25-Sept 5, 2014.

Do they keep it bad to drive business to Cafe al Bacio?

Reflection 3 weeks ago, we docked with shuttle transfer to town.